For the past few years Jen and I have been quite fond of using our iPods in the car, particularly on long trips. We pick a book from my Audible.com library and play it through the car stereo via a cheap cassette adapter. It really makes a long trip seem to fly by. After several years of iPod use in the car, I have realized there are three fundamental issues to be addressed: signal, power, and control.
1. Signal Input: The cassette adapter is my favorite solution. While there is all small reduction in quality, it’s much better than FM transmitters, of which I’ve tried several. A cassette adapter is not quite as universal as the FM transmitter but you can take it with you and use it in most vehicles. I leave one adapter in my car and carry another in my travel bag.
2. Power: There’s no mystery here, the iPod only lasts so long before it needs juice. Running out of battery power three hours from your destination can really detract from a great book. Also, by not using your iPod battery, you preserve its usable life. There are a variety of solutions to the problem of power. The simplest is a cigarette adapter.
When we had 2nd generation iPods, we used a charger via a simple cigarette adapter to standard Firewire 400 plug. It was quite inexpensive (~$20). Later we needed a “car charger” for my 3G iPod with the dock connector. The simplest and cheapest solution is the Sik din. It provides my iPod with a firewire port for charging with our existing adapter and a line out audio plug.
The problem with that solution is that it requires the use of my cigarette power adapter. I use that for cell phone chargers and my radar detector. I tried several different power splitters but that creates a rats nest of cables. Further, getting a power splitter that won’t vibrate loose proved to be an ordeal. I finally solved the power problem by snipping the cigarette plug off the power adapter and hard wiring it into the cars radio power circuit. Now the iPod gets juice when the radio is powered on.
3. iPod Control: The last problem is being able to control the iPod. I’ve had a few cradles but didn’t care for any of them. I finally settled on using Velcro to stick the iPod to the dash. I had problems because I couldn’t find any Velcro (not even the “industrial strength”) that would remain stuck to my dash. I finally purchased a roll of auto detailing tape, stuck that to the dash and then mounted my Velcro to that. After applying a couple patches of Velcro to the iPod, I just stick the iPod to the dash and it stays put, conveniently accessible and out of the way.
In conclusion, I now have a small firewire cable sticking out of my dash that I can plug into my iPod via the Sik. The cable exits the dash right below where I mount the iPod so there’s no cable clutter.
If you have $200 to spend, a nicer solution is the Neo iON or the iceLink. Plug either into the CD changer controls on the head unit, run the cable to where you wish to store your iPod, and *poof*, you’re rocking. Your CD player functions control the iPod and it charges the iPod as well. Very slick. However, they only work with certain head units and require installation. Thus, you can only use them in your car.
I got one of these for my Jetta TDI — http://www.phatnoise.com/
It’s a little linux-based MP3 player that plugs into the OEM stereo head unit via the existing CD changer connection – no input, power or controller issues whatsoever.
I spent about $200 for the 20GB version on Ebay, if I remember correctly. It’s been great so far, besides that I rarely use it because my “commute” is less than a mile.
Jetta TDI eh? You have good taste in automobiles. đ I hope yours will serve you as well as mine has.
The phatbox is roughly equivalent to the iON and iceLink. Plug the box into your CD changer harness/plug and control it via the head unit. It also costs the same (not factoring in the cost of the iPod). I really like the idea of a cartridge system, but there appear to be a number of disadvantages to the phatbox.
Does it play my audible.com books?
Does it play AAC (m4p, m4a) encoded content (ie, iTunes Music Store)
Playing Audible.com books has requirements such as bookmarking, speed up/slow down the rate, etc. that you don’t have with mp3 playback. Are these issues addressed by the phatbox?
Can it sync my entire music library without so much as a mouse click?
The cartridge idea is useful, but it’s no iPod replacement. When I get to the gym/office I can’t take it in with me and keep listening. When we get to the airport, we can’t plug a miniplug Y adapter into it and keep listening to our book during the rest of of the trip. I can’t clip it to my belt while raking the yard, going for a walk, etc.
The phatbox is pretty neat, but it solves a different problem. The iPod is currently the ultimate mobile audio experience (it works via sneakers, bicycle, car, etc), what I really want to find is a solution like the iON for half the price.
Any idea if you can use the CD changer input as an input for the iPod instead of the tape deck adapter? I think the tape deck adapter reduces sound quality (mildly).
Also, on the TDI – do you know if it is possible to turn off the check engine light without the vag-com (or whatever) software, wiring and a laptop?
I’ve got my light coming on about 10 seconds after starting. I believe it to the glow plugs. I plan to test and replace as appropriate – but will want the light to turn off. I am taking the TDI to a dealer soon to address all of those recalls you mentioned. Maybe they’ll turn it offf for me then?
Lastly – 2 things, as you are such a geek (typed with a friendly smile).
1. Do you use any software to transfer songs from your iPod to your computer? If so – which one?
2. What do you find to be the best source of TDI info online?
Oh – one more thing – I use Amsoil oil in my TDI. It doubles the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval. I change the oil every 20K, but the oil filter evey 5K (with an oil top off). Amsoil is a full synthetc – first ever in 1972. All biodegradable I believe. And – on that note – any biodiesel there – you are in ATL, right? Asheville here.
Cheers.
Which CD changer input? The problem is that the inputs for the CD changer are not line level.
Is it possible to turn off the CEL without a vag-com or similar tool? Nope, and even if you did, if you didn’t fix the problem it would come right back on.
Today I use iTunes to manage my music library. I used to use a large variety of free open source tools for unix systems. However, iTunes does such a great job (so much better than anything else available) that it’s practically silly not to use it.
The best source of TDI info that I know if is http://www.tdiclub.com/
I’m familiar with Amsoil, a friend of mine sells it. I’m quite happy with just about any synthetic, and frankly, even if I thought I could, I wouldn’t go more than 10k miles on any oil. There’s good info at TDIclub that will provide details that support my stance.